New Members only Overnight Ape Cave Snowshoe 3rd annual

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Total round trip 7 miles
Elevation gain: insignificant
avalanche danger: insignificant

Maps:Green Trails map # 364
USGS map for Mount Mitchell

Pictures from last year

2008 trip pictures

This trail is accessible year-round. We WILL need snow shoes. This hike does NOT require any special caving gear other than lights. Trail length is approx. 2.5 miles cave and 2.5 miles snowshoeing on a flat road.

Lets beat the crowds on this very popular summer hike for families. We will avoid most if not all fair weather hikers by doing this as a winter hike. temperature is the same 42 degrees year round in the cave so what the heck? This is a must see at least once in a lifetime.

Permits.....Recreation Sno-Park permit is required visitor center is closed so please acquire a permit in Seattle if you plan on driving.

Must be prepared for: This is a moderate hike we may need to stomp through up to 2.5 miles of snow each way to get to the cave. Bring appropriate footwear for snow and cave hiking. It is a cave you MUST bring the 10 essentials as well as 2 count them 1,2 light sources and one must be a head lamp. (bring extra batteries). Be sure to bring a hearty lunch we will take a designated lunch break in the dark.

We will drive approximately 3 to 3.5 hour each way to:

Directions: I5 S. to Exit #21 at Woodland
East on 503 to Forest Rd. 83 Follow signs to Ape Cave. Will park at FS-83 and FS-90 ans snowshoe the rest of the way.

We will camp at the far end of the cave. We will exit the cave up an existing staircase. We will make snow camp at a safe distance from the cave exit. (Bring a good sleeping pad, extra food and extra fuel for melting snow) We will probably get home late on Sunday so keep that in mind. If you are new to winter camping please check out all of the excellent posts on the message board. Further questions please feel free to email or call me.

The caves were first explored by members of a local outdoors club, "The Apes," hence the name. Ape Cave is a long, large cave (known as a lava tube) naturally carved into the basalt by lava and water through thousands of years. Explored by thousands of visitors each year, these deep, pitch-black tunnels are an eerie and memorable experience.

From the main entrance the cave heads in two directions. The Lower Passage is easier and shorter. It delves about .7 mile past a number of formations, including a Lava Ball and mudflow floor. The Upper Passage is 1.3 miles long underground with a 1.3-mile trail aboveground that returns to the trailhead. Upper Passage is more challenging, with segments that climb over rock piles and a small lava ledge. Near the upper exit, a large hole in the ceiling of the cave creates a natural skylight.

Year-round temperature is a steady 42¡F. Two sources of light are recommended, and headlamps don't count. The deep darkness of the caves requires very strong flashlights or, preferably, large gas lanterns. Parts of the upper passage are rocky, so sturdy shoes and pants are also recommended. -----I will be bringing a Gas lantern.------

My Cell number is 206**491**5207 please make sure you have this written down. Lets take 10 minutes at the park and ride with all of us and we can look over and compare our 10 essentials so that new hikers can get a feel for what the rest of us carry. Also lets test all of our light sources and be sure we don't have problems. If I have your waiver on file then cool. If not please get it in you can find it in the file section. Or bring a signed copy along.

See ya on Saturday the 28th of Feb. and please email or post questions to the board

Cameron

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